first night

American  

noun

1. opening night.

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first night British  

noun

1. 1. the first public performance of a play or other production

   2. ( as modifier )

      first-night nerves

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Etymology

Origin of first night

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

She talked about her first night out with her Californian roommate and the culture shock of seeing students wearing shorts to class and their public displays of affection.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

He adds that though she was a “fish out of water” the first night, she found her way.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

Hiyam, 53, who declined to give her last name, fled Beirut’s southern suburbs on the first night of the Israeli retaliation.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

On the first night, after waiting for hours, we spotted Reka walking quickly just before 02:00 with another man, who we later identified as his brother - Roland.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026

Like the one on the first night of our turtle walks, this one also contained a hundred and seven eggs, but this time all one hundred seven turtles emerged.

From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg

Related Words

• beginning
• debut
• opening